MadisonChurch

Hi hi! Happy Thursday people, let’s make it to the weekend in one piece. We only have one. more. day. We can do it!

Y’ALL KNOW I AM ALWAYS BALLIN ON A BUDGET. There is no high like one you get when you get a great steal! Which brings me to why we are here today: these AMAZE racing stripe jeans. If you have been keeping up with fashion in any capacity, I am sure you’ve spotted a pair of these. I’m happy to report this trend seems to be here to stay! There’s so many variations of the racing stripe jean which is great news for us bargain hunters because it means we can get the look for less. jeans (ON SALE FOR $25) // top (similar) // shoes // hat (similar)

I’ll let y’all in on a little secret because I love ya. Two words: Abercrombie jeans. No really. I am NOT KIDDING. When I think of Abercrombie I am immediately transported back to junior high when everyone exclusively shopped at there. It was truly the peak of graphic tees and denim skirts then. But now, Abercrombie is one of my go-tos for an amazing sale. Their denim is honestly pretty great. It revels some of my favorite high-end jeans and that’s saying a lot coming from me!

I’m obsessed with the colors in the racing stripe- they’re not too bold which is great because you can style with almost anything. I love a good basic look as much as the next girl so I just paired them with a white button up top, neck scarf, and for funsies one of my felt hats (hat lady @ heart). Ooh, wait I forgot I would literally be doing you a disservice if I didn’t mention these shoes to y’all. MY ABSOLUTE FAVORITE WORK SHOES. So no surprise I own them in two colors right? They are so comfy and a fabulous way to elevate any outfit.

I’m linking alll of my favorite racing stripe jeans for any budget below, including the ones I am wearing which are now ON SALE FOR $25. RUN! DO! NOT! WALK!

A VERY HAPPY 2019 TO Y’ALL! In the midst of all of the chaos that has been my life for these past two months, I have not been present on my fave lil corner of the web. For that I’m sorry! Senior year has really got me goin craaaazy (in the best/worst ways). BUT I am back for a lil #girltalk #realtalk which happens to be y’alls favorite to read and mine to write! This post could seriously be ALLL over the place but I think that’s the point of a #realtalk. It’s not always going to be the most linear, easy-to-follow kind of post but it’s gonna be a good ole venting session and who doesn’t need one of those?!

Now, before we get started let’s dip our toes in the warm waters that are new years resolutions, new years goals, new years whatever-you-wanna-call-em. Yeah sure, they can be a great motivator for those first few months, weeks, or days (lol) of the year but how do you actually be sure you accomplish them?! I don’t necessarily like to call them new years resolutions; I prefer to call/make them into goals. The best way to set goals is to make them achievable, measurable and to set benchmarks so you can make it happen. Keep them posted on a sticky on your desktop, in your planner, or just somewhere that you’ll see them everyday. Keep em in the front of your mind!

As someone who personally has a track record of forgetting about these so-called resolutions half way through the year, I feel you if this is something you struggle with. Let’s just be honest about it, y’all. Things are not going to change unless you do something to change them! 2019 has the potential to be your year so get in there and pave your path to whatever your heart desires.

There’s always been the mantra of “new year, new me” and it’s something I’ve been thinking about a lot lately. As good as it can feel to “leave it all behind in 2018” I don’t honestly think it’s possible. This season is all about reflection: of where we’ve come from and where we have been. Use what you have learned whether it be from success or from failure TO YOUR ADVANTAGE. You don’t have to shut out all of the bad to get to the good! It’ll help you to grow. Learn from 2018, and use it to BE better and DO better in 2019. Because of 2018, you are changed!

With all this talk of change and goal-setting for a better year, here’s a peak into what I have challenged myself to achieve this year!

Move more confidently and fearlessly. This is your life, and you are the one who has the ability to make things different. Confidence for me has come with age as well as out of hardships and challenges. I want to continue to learn from mistakes and work on being more confident in the decisions I am making in my life. Will this be my most difficult goal for the year? Heck to the yes. It’s not as much of a check yes or no goal but I think I’ll be able to look back by the end of the year to see whether or not I’ve moved confidently to get to that point!

Learn to be more spontaneous. This seems to be a reoccurring pattern of mine as I did have a similar goal for myself this year. I definitely improved on that but I still have ways to go! As a TYPE A, it is sooo challenging to go off the books and be spontaneous. But it’s so rewarding to be able to live in the moment (even if it’s just for a day or two). With my new job (I’ll be a traveling consultant for my sorority this upcoming school year) that I’m starting in July, I think this’ll be easier to make happen. I won’t have a home-base per say, so jumping from place to place will 100 percent take me out of my comfort zone and methodical-like schedule I’ve been stuck in. Maybe I’ll try a new Starbucks drink or get another sub at Jimmy Johns that’s not the Vito? The options are truly endless.

Take the time to be selfish. Ok, this may sound bad but hear me out? I’m going to be traveling for a living, going from place to place, mostly alone, at the back half of 2019. As a soon-to-be 22 year-old, I really feel like this is my time. It’s my opportunity to learn about myself, to do things for myself without reason! I may as well take this time in my early-twenties to be selfish, while I still can.

Continue to journal (if not daily at least weekly). If you’ve read the blog before, you have definitely heard me talk about my newfound love for journaling. I LIVE FOR IT. Don’t know about y’all, but for me there is something about writing the thoughts in my head down on paper that is extremely therapeutic. I want to be able to look back through all my journals in the future and see my growth!

Make a big girl purchase. Maybe a bag or pair of shoes? Still accepting suggestions, so let me know what y’all got. With me finally getting my first big-girl job after school, I am really wanting to buy myself something that I’ll have forever! It’s gonna feel amazing when I can actually afford something nice for myself! But until then, catch me with my fake Gucci :/

NEW YORK AND CALIFORNIA. I’ll be traveling for a living, but I gotta get my butt back to New York (it’s one of my favorite places in the world…I’m obsessed with all of it) in order to keep me sane!! California has been on my bucket list forever so fingers crossed I can visit this spring!

Find the joy in the little things. Like I’ve previously, stated my type A personality doesn’t always allow me to stop and enjoy the little things. In an effort to be a more appreciative person in general, I think finding happiness in the little things, no matter how small, is the best way to start!

Even in those ruts, continue to create. This year especially, I allowed myself to shut down if I was stuck in a creative rut. This year I want to push myself to keep on creating when I’m not motivated to. Easier said then done, but some of my best work has come from pushing through that bump in the road. Being a self-proclaimed profectionist hasn’t helped me thus far, but I’m hoping my change in scenery will be inspiring to say the least!

Money! Management! Yeah, I really gotta start adulting and get my money in track. I am a shopahaulic which complicates my saving money an awful lot lol. This year, I hope to start CONSISTENTLY saving a part of my paycheck. When I’m done traveling, I gotta start real life and there’s gonna be hella expenses/bills to pay. So if you see me spending copious amounts of money before I put my pre-portioned savings in it’s account, feel free to smack me across the face. I’ll thank ya later.

WHEW. Ok that was a mouthful. If you’re still reading, thank you. You’re an angel. Anyone wanna talk 2019 or even 2018? Leave me a comment below or message me on Instagram! Cheers to where we’ve come from and cheers to where we are headed!

FALL FASHION IS TOO GOOD, Y’ALL. Although my bank account does not thank me for splurging, my closet sure does. Since it’s finally cooling down over here in Louisiana (on a good day) I figured I would share with y’all a few things I am dying for!

TOPS

I swear everything I love this season is pink, blue, or animal print? Not sure what’s going on in my mind that’s making me think this way but I love it! As far as animal print is concerned, this jacket has me going INSANE. I need it. Bombers are in this year and I looove anything faux fur! Plus it’s under $100 price tag? *Add to cart*

Sweater season is back and although I may just suffocate if I wear a thick sweater with jeans and boots, I will sure as heck be wearing them with skirts and shorts galore! Some of my favorites this year are from Asos, Forever 21, and Free People. No surprise here! I’ll link this adorable pink balloon sleeve sweater (under $50), my favorite striped sweater, and a warm and fuzzy mock-neck you need to get your hands on.

BOTTOMS

I’m all about that comfort level when it actually gets cold. These leggings are my savior! They are comfortable, warm, AND have a wide wasitband that sucks it all in! I have the plain black pair from two years ago so I figure I should invest in another pair. The camo is calling my name!

In a recent Instagram poll on what y’all wanted to see, I got a request for going out clothes (on a budget). I’ll get to that full post eventually but here’s a sneak peak for ya. These shorts. Rose gold faux-leather can it really get any more fab than that? They’re under $60 and they are just so dang fun I can’t help it! Pair them with a black top and you’ll be good for a night out.

SHOES

So I’m on a shoe kick. I just want all the booties this year – they are so so good! My first pair I’m splurging on are these chunky black booties. They look comfy and I feel like I could kinda rock them year round! The snakeskin booties have been on my wishlist since last year. I just feel like they are super versatile and another good year round bootie to wear with jeans and shorts. I’m going crazy for these patent leather slip on sneakers. THE GREEN COLOR IS AMAZING. And they’re under $100 so I feel like I gotta grab em! Especially when our LA weather is so bipolar it’s nice to have a good sneaker to do when it’s warmer.

ACCESSORIES

My two obsessions this year: hats and dainty hoop earrings. I found this leather cabby hat and it is oh so cute. It would look so fun with a little street chic outfit.

These hoops are THE BEST. I love how dainty they are and the rainbow is super cool for a little pop. You can’t tel they’re rainbow until you get close up! Layer them with other earrings to get that cool girl look that’s in this year!

Hi y’all! I’m baaaaccck today with a #girltalk. Since this summer, these types of posts have been my absolute favorite to write. Being vulnerable on the internet can be scary, so I hope you’ll read this and it’ll be what you need to hear.

Self-worth. How do we value ourselves? Do we have too little self-worth and continue to let people walk all over us or do we have oodles of it which drive us to be a total bad ass babe? If you’re asking about me, I would like to think I fall in the middle of the spectrum but that’s not entirely true. Self-worth has a lot of grey areas and I think that’s why I had such a difficult time sitting down to write this blog post. Shoutout to y’all for requesting posts like these that challenge me to think.

I often hear the word self-worth in conjunction to relationships – whether they be boys or just friendships. Do you really not have enough self-worth to tell him something? You’re really gonna let her treat you like that? Clearly you don’t see how much your friendship really worth.

As a chronically single twenty-one year old, a lot of times I find myself looking at self-worth when it comes to boys. If there is anything I have learned from the many times that things didn’t work out with a boy it’s this: just because he can’t see your worth, does NOT mean you don’t have it. You have to stay hopeful. As a self-proclaimed romantic (thank you rom-coms for making me this way), I have to think that someday things will work out. Someday there will be someone who can see all that I’m worth. But until then, I have to ride out this wave of life (even with all of it’s ups and downs) until that time comes. Keep doin you girl, there’s really no better way to respect yourself than that.

In my opinion, self-worth is allowing yourself to experience things, to live life, get hurt. I don’t think self-worth necessarily relates to guarding yourself from anything and everything that could break you, but instead it means embracing it. Life is never going to be perfect, and you’re not always going to be happy. But being able to allow those experiences, whether they be good or bad happen and actually LEARN from them, now that to me is the true meaning of self-worth. You owe it to yourself to get heartbroken, try something new, and learn who your true friends are.

So let’s start looking at things this way: respect yourself enough to be strong and confident in your decisions – you know what’s right for you! Not anyone else. Get out there and LIVE, y’all. It will be worth it in the end. Only you can change your perspective on life. If you find yourself in a negative situation, live it and LEARN from it. You’ve only made yourself much stronger because of it.

When you’re feeling down, or maybe not worthy of someone tell yourself this: I am worth it. I am enough. You don’t need validation from someone else to tell you what you’re worth. They don’t know your thoughts, they don’t know the struggles you’ve been through to get here, they don’t know the whole you. And if they did, then they certainly would be able to see ALL YOUR VALUE, ALL YOUR WORTH. It’s there, it’s always been there and it’ll be there for the rest of your life. So start acting like it. You are so worth it.

If you’re struggling with self-worth, try to take a bit of time each day to tell yourself something you love about yourself. One of my favorite things to do is to have a constant reminder so I’ll often set a quote I’m loving as my phone background. I’m sharing a few of my recent favorites with y’all below.

YOU ARE ENOUGH. And if you needed to hear that today, hear it from me. SO much love for all of y’all who read! XOXO

Basics are good for the soul. Don’t get me wrong, I am all about trendy clothes but my basics are my tried and true and I’ll never go a day without em. They’re where I’ll splurge since I know I will get lots of wear. For today’s post, I thought I would break down some of my gotta have basic pieces and why I splurge on them.

A GOOD BELT

Belts have been my jam as of late. There’s just something about adding a belt to an outfit that amplifies the look? Idk, just me? It can be smart to invest in a nice neutral belt that you can keep as a staple piece in your closet. Now I am all for the western vibe, the skinny belt, or a double buckle belt but I don’t think it something to break the bank on. A neutral belt that I can wear with anything? Check yes! I’ll spend some bank on that.

DON’T: DROP ALL YOUR CASH ON A BELT THAT YOU CAN’T MIX AND MATCH WITH ANY OUTFIT.

A NICE PAIR OF JEANS

I was never a firm believer in spending money on jeans until a year or two ago. Why? I guess I just never tried on any finely made jeans to know the difference. But believe me, there is a difference. If you’re anything like me then investing in a nice pair of jeans will be one of the BEST things you can do for yourself. Some of my favorite denim brands are Hudson and Joes. They will run you about $200ish a pair, but it’s worth every penny. They are much more comfortable than a low-end denim and they will last you for many years to come. For me, my must-have pair is a high-rise medium wash with some distressing (and they’re on sale now too).

DON’T: SPLURGE ON BRIGHTLY COLORED OR JEANS THAT ARE TOO EMBELLISHED.

A NICE BAG

I never leave the house with out my purse. Never. I swear it feels like a safety blanket? Lol. Recently, I’ve been leaning towards my black crossbody but for years and years I only used a cognac color. I feel like a crossbody is always a safe bet when you’re wanting to invest. They’re great bags to go from day to night in whereas a tote is not as versatile. I’ll link my favorite leather crossbody here and my suede crossbody (in the picture above) here. I’ve used Ebay in the past to find some great real designer bags so if that’s the route you want to do I would def recommend doing lots of research before buying off Ebay!

DON’T: SPEND BUKU BUCKS ON A SUPER TRENDY BAG YOU WON’T GET LOT’S OF WEAR OUT OF.

A DENIM JACKET

There will never come a day when a classic denim jacket won’t be in style. They’re perfect to add some edge to any outfit, depending on the look of the jacket. When it comes to investing, I always head straight to Free People. They really do have the best denim jackets for every personality. I just splurged on this one! It’s a fantastic medium/light wash with simple studs (I like things jazzy ok). The oversized trucker fit is perfect because it doesn’t limit what I can wear with it like a cropped jacket would.

DON’T: WATSE YOUR MONEY ON A DENIM JACKET WITH LOTS OF FRILLS OR DISTRESSING. GET SOMETHING CLASSIC.

Happy September 13. Hope all of y’all are having a great week/month/year so far. It’s that weird time of year, especially down here in South Louisiana where it’s still 90 degrees outside and raining everyday? Yeah, our weather is extremely bi-polar which does not lend itself easily to dressing for “fall.” My favorite way to get into the fall spirit is to incorporate transition pieces into my summer basics for a fall vibe.

FUZZY SLIDES. NEED I SAY MORE?

What I used to honestly DESPISE as a trend has finally won me over in the form of this embellished slide from Target. Yes y’all, you heard me right. Target with alll the deals (y’all know I am a HUGE fan). But back to the slides. I’ve been living in them the past week. Dresses, jeans, skirts – you name it and it’ll probably look amaze with these! This is the only way for this southern Louisiana girl to get her fur fix while it’s still so warm out. Here’s all my favorite fuzzy slides for the fall linked for y’all below!

We have to chat about this dress. It’s from one of my all-time fave brands and it’s under $55! Lately I’ve been all about the faux-leopard print and I love how it’s incorporated into the flowers on this shift. Orange, green, black and cream are such great colors to take into fall with you. I would so rock this dress in the summer with more white-toned accessories to lighten it up. Since I was going for a darker vibe, I opted for black to make everything pop.

SHOP MY LOOK BELOW

GAMEDAY GAMEDAY GAMEDAY! Only the best time of year for us southern gals. I’ve teamed up with one of my blogger pals, Caroline for today’s post (yay)! We work together so we chat lots about clothes (no really we chat too much about clothes). The two of us aren’t huge purple and gold fans which prompted us to do this post with some fun gameday looks you can create with the neutrals you already own!

This look is so effortless and cool – I love it. A simple tee (whatever color you have will work), cutoffs, sneakers and a denim jacket for that cool factor. I’ve also been super into belts lately so I added a lighter toned belt that pops against my favorite black cut offs. My gold platform converse, which quickly became my favorite shoes this summer, are the best for walking all day. The key here is comfort!

SIMPLE TEE + CUTOFFS + BELT + SNEAKERS = CASUAL COOL

Let’s talk clear. Bags that is. They’re required for pretty much any sporting event and if you’re anything like me you pretty much hate them. I struggled to find one that I liked that wouldn’t break the bank. Amazon ended up being my savior! My bag is linked here. It’s under $25, super stylish, and it’s got lots of room for all my gameday essentials! Beaded coin purses are my favorite way to jazz these babies up. There are so many made in cool colors and funny sayings now so you can find one that fits your mood.

MY ESSENTIALS FOR GAMEDAY

Life’s a marathon, not a sprint. I would like to think the same applies for gameday too. You’re out all day in the sun, trying to look like a 10 when ya actually look like a 2. It’s rough! There are a few things I always be sure to carry around with me to avoid looking like plague.

There’s something I’ve been struggling with lately: self-doubt. Maybe it’s the fact that I’m expected to be a real adult in less than 10 months, or maybe it’s the fact that I haven’t had much time to think about anything these past few weeks (thanks, recruitment)? Possibly it’s the combination of both, but all I know for sure is that I have felt off.

Self-doubt is definitely a huge player in the game that is my life. I’m a type A personality, so I constantly have an internal battle going on. As my biggest critic, there’s always thoughts running through my mind of self-doubt.

Here’s a few things I’ve been doing to help curb this feeling!

JOURNALING

My FAVORITE thing I’ve taken from my #selfishsummer was journaling. I *tried* to make it a daily thing, but when things got busy it was more like one-two times a week thing. BUT STILL. I cannot explain how much better I feel after putting it allll out there on the pages of my journal. It’s extremely therapeutic especially if you’ve got a mind that runs a million miles a minute like mine. Get yourself a journal, decorate it and make it your own, and use it!

POSITIVE THOUGHTS

When I’m down on myself, I like to flip back through my social media/camera roll to see how far I’ve come. Even since the beginning of this year I’ve grown so much! In January of 2018, I wouldn’t have been able to move 10 hours away from home for the summer. But hey! I did it and it made me a much stronger, more independent person. So when I’m feeling doubtful, I remind myself of everything I’ve already accomplished.

KEEP ON MOVING

Sometimes I think the best way to kick those ugly feelings to the curb is just to keep pushing. To keep moving and have faith you know where you’re headed. This might not work for everyone, but I know that for me it’s one of the best ways to do things. If I keep my mind occupied on other tasks then I have less time to doubt myself.

Life is definitely a journey and not a destination. By helping yourself along the way, it’ll make things a lot more fun! I’ll promise you that. So the next time you’re feeling a bit of self-doubt, take a step back. You’re a lot stronger than you think.

Cheers to getting back into the swing of things and a new school year!

the girl in pearls

Hi y’all, I’m Madison! I’m a fashion student at LSU who has an extreme obsession with fountain Coke, neutrals and One Direction. Fashion is my favorite form of expression and I love experimenting with my style (on a college gals budget it can be tough). I’m so excited you’re here! Kick iff your shoes and stay awhile!